I’m K.D. Rose. I am an author and a poet and I have three books of mostly poetry on Amazon and one book coming out December 18 that is for New Adults in the paranormal genre.

Please can you tell us where you are from?

I’m from Virginia and live in the Northern Virginia area (though I have traveled and lived elsewhere)

How long have you been a writer?

All my life I have tried to write a book, since I was five. I’ve been writing poetry and keeping journals since I was about 13. I only began publishing things though in 2012.

Are you promoting a particular book?

Yes! Erasing: Shadows comes out December 18 and is available for pre-order on Dec. 7. It is Book One in a Seven Book Series for New Adults.

What genre do you write in or do you write across the board?

My first book is very literary. ‘Heavy Bags of Soul’ runs the gamut and contains poetry, short stories, Socratic dialogues and prose. My next two books, ‘Inside Sorrow’ which won the 2013 International Readers Favorite Silver Medal for Poetry, and ‘I AM (Poetry in Motion)’ are exclusively poetry although I AM was made with the idea of interweaving pictures and poetry to make the idea of empowerment, especially for females, leap off the page. Since those books I’ve started a New Adult Paranormal Series with Lycaon Press. I’ve also been picked up for a mystery as well as two short stories for an anthology for Breathless Press. I write for Breathless Press under a different pen name, H.K Sterling, only because I don’t want adult- themed books to get mixed up with anything I write for younger people. Then I still submit individual poems and short stories to magazines as well. I have two poems coming out in magazines in December, so that was exciting that they were accepted. Overall, I am finding I have certain genres that feel comfortable and others that I know I would not be able to write. You won’t see me writing historical fiction for example but science fiction- absolutely. You will see some of that coming from my pen name. My pen name, H.K. Sterling will be writing the more adult oriented plots in science fiction and short stories with a signature of twist endings.

Can you give us the plot, characters and theme of your story or if this is a poetry book, can you give us the feel of it?

Well its packed full of action and surprises as well as characters that you want to get to know, and I can’t really say much because it would be a spoiler, but I can give you the blurb for it:

“What if to save the ones you love, you had to unlock the key to a different reality?

Generations of mystery smash together when a seemingly traditional family must shatter their illusions of normality to confront themselves and their friends, leaving no possibility unexplored in order to rescue- well, who exactly? Watch the Ross family, the High Five Gang, and multiple generations dig into an innovative explosion of imagination where they must confront numerous realities, real-world danger, and worst of all—their own teenage hormones!

In a place where nothing is as it seems and shocks are around every corner, even the people you thought you knew may find themselves strangers in this moving and provocative reality-bender. With breathless pacing and psychological intrigue, Erasing: Shadows and the High Five Gang will keep you guessing until the very end.”

Where did the idea come from?

I have millions of ideas and tons of blank books all over so I can hopefully capture them when they come to me. I wanted to do the Erasing Series and I wanted to write for the New Adult age group because I remember books leading me to new thoughts when I was younger and I wanted to write something that was entertaining but also makes the reader think at the same time. So that is where the Erasing Series came from.

Did you have to do a lot of research for your latest work?

About 10 years ago I made a point to study all the major disciplines on my own. I have a Master’s degree from a university but I mean I wanted to study all the other ones that had not been part of my curriculum. So I spent a good five years deep in study of philosophy, quantum physics, language, higher math such as set theory and cross-cultural spirituality so most of my writing is a product in some way of those intense years. I occasionally have to google small things to make sure I’m right on something but in general I don’t do a lot of research. My creativity is pretty boundless, so I write things that rely on that.

Do you think your writing is improving the more you write?

I absolutely know for sure it is. I know that now, because I have an editor. LOL When I only published indie, and mostly poetry, I was writing in one style, though of course I made sure my books were properly edited. Now I write for the publisher though and I am writing novels so the type of writing is different and I’ve had to learn some new tricks. So in that way, it has improved. I think the more we expand ourselves, we always improve.

Did you have any problems during the writing process of your latest work?

My only problem is starting, after I am into it, it’s hard to pull me away from my writing. I will say though that one of the challenges was creating a logical line throughout seven books. Also doing the math to make sure all the characters and their events worked out correctly was hard. Those are things I keep written down in a big book so I can refer back if needed.

What is it about writing that you enjoy so much?

My ideas need a place to go LOL – For example I just wrote an article on enhanced media which no one asked for and I had nowhere to publish it, but I just felt I had to write it. Sometimes it’s fun when you are writing like that. That article was published here by the way: www.wobcmagazine.com/7291/56558/a/the-re-emergence-of-the-book

That article came to life because I wanted us as a community of writers, aspiring writers, technology gurus, industry leaders, and publishing houses to look forward.

How much planning goes into a book? Do you spend a long time planning or do you just start writing and see where it leads you?

I am a combination planner and plotter. I do plot out the entire book or series, as in the main logical flow of the storyline and arcs, but once I start writing I let it take me wherever it goes which sometimes involves redoing the plotting, but mostly it stays within the original boundaries. I equate it to the poets of old who wrote sonnets. How creative can you get, how far can you go within these limitations or these boundaries?

Do your fans encourage you to keep writing and do they give you ideas?

I’ll have to let you know when I have more fans. I’ve been lucky enough to have a few, but I am fairly newly “out there” (don’t try to stay in the shadows like I did when you first start), so I am building up a fan base. I expect this new series to create some people who want more, just like I expect the science fiction that will come from my pen name to create people who want more of that style of writing.

What is your experience of the Publishing industry?

Nothing but great things to say so far. I’ve been indie and I’ve had a publisher, and both taught different lessons. Now that I have a publisher I am going to stick with that. I feel very fortunate.

Is this book a part of a series? Where is it going?

Yep! Well, Erasing: Shadows is Book One so besides being full of adventure you get introduced to many characters and concepts and secrets, so as the series goes, it will explore all of those more. There are a lot of secrets to yet come out! I am working on Book Two as we speak. That book, Erasing: Shattered is more about a few specific people from the first book and almost entirely set amid a college age crowd.

Have you had some good reviews for your book/s?

I’ve had excellent reviews for all of my indie books. You can get to them all from here:

I had one for my first book, but not for this one. It’s something I should probably do. Just very busy now- what I do for promotion is really time consuming, plus you are writing, but I should add that to my list!

What do you do to wind down?

Catch up via the internet LOL but without writing. I don’t watch much TV (Except for Doctor Who!). Then my husband and I have rituals too that help us wind down. He makes me hot chocolate for example.

❤ Yay for Doctor Who! – and husbands who make hot chocolate (never had one of them, well not one that made a decent hot chocolate anyway – sounds divine!) – Mind you The Doctor as a husband who makes hot chocolate sounds even better LOL 😉 ❤

Do you belong to a friendly writers group and does it help?

I am so lucky that my publisher- Lycaon Press and Breathless Press really created that kind of atmosphere in- house and it’s wonderful. But I also rely on many Facebook groups. It’s awesome to see such intelligent people out there, who are also helpful and have created genuine community. That’s important since writing is such an individual thing to do, and such long hours alone doing it.

What is your experience of editing and polishing your manuscripts?

Pain in the you know what! You edit so much you get sick of your own story LOL. But it is one of the necessary evils so you do what you have to.

Any tips for all our budding authors out there wondering how to get started?

Learn the tools of your profession. Write without censoring, then when you edit, be ruthless. Figure out ahead of time what route you want to take (indie, literary, publishing house, small presses) but don’t be afraid to change it.

Link city – as many as you need to guide us round your internet trail…

Here are KD’s other books just click on them to add them to your basket.

Thank you for joining us here on the ‘Bookish Banter’ and taking time out to give us such an interesting insight into your writing world.

Thank you so much for having me! – KD Rose

If you are an Author or artist and you would like to be featured – please email me at laura.crean@yahoo.co.uk with ‘Author or Artist Interview’ in the title line and I will get back to you as soon as I can.

Time Traveller’s United’s Doctor Who 50 Years Anniversary Tribute posting…

I am such a Doctor Who fan – and this weekend I have been more than a little excited to be sitting at home watching all the 50 years anniversary celebrations. I have been in my element. I can’t wait for the Christmas special now but I just wanted to collect together some videos that I think are cool. However there are just too many fantastic Doctor Who episodes, clips, fan reviews etc. etc. on You Tube that I never know which little clips to post on Time Travellers United – so I don’t, I usually keep Doctor Who away from here. Today I have decided to post some of my favourite fan vids and a little science, just a little bit of fun and say to all you lovely, lovely fellow Whovians and to my beloved DOCTOR WHO – HAPPY 50th…

Quick Author Bio (taken from Hildie’s website)

Hildie McQueen loves the strange and unusual, pair that with humor and you’ve got an idea of what her writing is like.

She makes sure action, intrigue, and sizzling romance add up to an escape that her readers won’t soon forget. Hildie is a member of Georgia Romance Writers and Romance Writers of America. She resides in the beautiful small town Georgia with her super-hero husband Kurt and two unruly Chihuahuas.

I Live in a small town in Georgia, right next to the state line with S. Carolina. I love it. It’s hard to go anywhere without seeing someone you know. That can be good and bad depending.

😀 Awww a nice close knit little community – I bet your neighbours are always popping round for a coffee and a sneak peek at your latest novel in the making! 😉

How long have you been writing?

I have always put a pen to paper. Mostly I wrote short stories, but then about six years ago I decided to give romance a try. When I read books, I wanted to know more about the characters. What better way than to create them? I attended Georgia Romance Writers meetings and decided to go into full writing mode.

Have you got a book to promote at the moment and can you tell us a little bit about it please?

I wrote a novella titled Big Sky Blue and I fell in love with the characters. So I went twenty-five years in to their future and wrote a book about their boys. The Shades of Blue Series is the story of three men and how they fight their circumstances to find true happiness. Release date for the three is December 1, 2013. The books are A Different Shade of Blue, The Darkest Blue and Every Blue Moon.

If you can’t wait till next week click and buy ‘Big Sky Blue’ now.

Are you working on anything else at the moment?

I am set to release two books in January, a paranormal that completes my Protector series, it’s titled Desperate Possession. The story about a demon slayer named Fallon Trent, a British Lord from the 1800s who lives in modern day Atlanta.

The second book is a contemporary romance titled One Night in Vegas. This is a romantic comedy about a one-night stand that ends up with a girl married to the most eligible bachelor in Charleston. The worst part? She drunk texted his mother wedding pictures!

❤ ❤ ❤ Wow! You are a real inspiration Hildie and it just shows others that if you have a passion for writing you shouldn’t hold back but just go for it and get it all out – every story that’s in your heart to write. ❤ ❤ ❤

Where did the inspiration for your latest book come from?

My inspiration for the Shades of Blue series is Montana. My husband is from a town near Alder Gulch where this series takes place. It’s beautiful country.

And you are so lucky to be a part of that beautiful country so you can get lost in the scenes – that’s awesome!

Which genre do you write for or do you cross genres?

What don’t I write would be a better question? (laughing) Let’s see, I write paranormal, historical and contemporary.

I don’t know how you fit it all in! 😀

Did you do a lot of research for the book and how did you tackle it?

The westerns take the most research. I spend hours on line and reading books about that time. Sometimes I get so involved, I forget what I am supposed to be researching.

Story of my life… :O

Do you think you have improved as a writer since beginning your book and what lessons have you learnt about the process?

With every book I write I improve. There is no better way to become a better writer than to write.

Any stumbling blocks in the writing process for your latest book?

When I got to the last book in the Shades of Blue series, I hit a wall and suddenly could not write. The story just stopped and it drove me crazy. I took some time off, even though I was behind schedule and wrote a novella. Then came back and finished the book. By the way, the novella totally sucks.

I don’t believe it – I bet it’s great!

What is it that you love so much about writing?

There are so many stories in my head, I just love telling them and sharing them.

That’s great Hildie – keep sharing!

Did you craft a carefully well thought out plan for the book or did it just flow naturally?

OK my fellow bookaholics – this is a first for us here at the Bookish Banter, but Hildie is doing a give-away. So if you would like to be the proud owner of all the fabulous gifts in this picture (3 of Hildie’s books, a $5 Starbucks gift card, a Shades of Blue purse charm and a gift pack), let us know in the comments and Hildie will pick a winner – good luck…

Thank you for joining in the fun – it was really great to have you with us here on the Bookish Banter Hildie and my oh my you have a lot of books to delve into – I don’t know where to start – maybe with…

This looks fun 😉

If you are an author or artist and you would like to be featured let us know by emailing me with ‘Author Interview’ in the title at laura.crean@yahoo.co.uk and I’ll get back to you as soon as I can.

I’m not sure whether it is as dream fulfilling as the advert makes out but as I sit here in my cold, lonely bedroom in the UK – I can honestly say a journey to a fun vibrant land of dreams sounds lubbly jubbly right about now!

But saving the actual journey, which I can’t afford as I am a poor single Mum with no passport and a fear of leaving my house let-a-lone the country – I shall content myself with writing myself into a land of dreams – let the journey begin…

Realm of the Purple Dragon excerpt

With the door to Ellenor’s reality closed behind her she was now facing the dreamy world of the Dragon Realm. Ellenor knew the game like the back of her hand and the computer animated, virtual reality Realm of the Purple Dragon was second nature to her. But this world set…

After a whole week of sitting in bed with no visitors and a finished Viking project sitting neatly on her desk, Ellenor began to feel rather bored and lonely. She had never in her young life been on her own as much as this, and not even the latest console game could cheer her up as it really was no challenge to Ellenor, ‘the console kid’. She was, after all, the number one console wizard and having nothing else at all to do all day meant she had finished the entire game by three o clock.

She had rescued the princess and set the Dragon Realm free from the evil sorcerer who had enchanted them and now she was even more bored and lonely. Ellenor started to feel something else she had never…

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Author of the children's fantasy novel 'The Realm of the Purple Dragon' and 'The Rainbow Rune Series'. Also poet, artist, blogger and reader and writer of the Science-Fiction, Fantasy and the Paranormal and Spiritual genres